Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Volume 92, Issue 6, June 1987, Pages 1894-1898
Gastroenterology

5-Aminosalicylic acid enema in the treatment of distal ulcerative colitis, proctosigmoiditis, and proctitis*

https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-5085(87)90621-4Get rights and content

Abstract

The efficacy and safety of 4-g 5-aminosalicylic acid enemas were assessed in 153 patients with ulcerative colitis involving up to 50 cm of distal colon. Seventy-six patients received active medication and 77 received a placebo. There were 20 dropouts (6 in the active group and 14 in the placebo group) during the study because of insufficient efficacy. After 6 wk of therapy, 48 of the 76 patients (63%) receiving 5-aminosalicylic acid were considered to be “much improved” by the study physician compared to 22 of the 77 patients (29%) on placebo (p = 0.001). A disease activity index based on patient symptoms and sigmoidoscopic appearance was used to assess efficacy. Mean disease activity index declined 55% for patients on 5-aminosalicylic acid and 24% for patients on placebo (p = 0.0001). Analysis of subgroups indicated that patients most likely to respond were those with disease confined to the 20–40 cm from the anus. Response was not affected by concurrent sulfasalazine, but patients requiring concurrent oral steroids had a diminished response. Rapid onset of efficacy was shown by a significant reduction in rectal bleeding within 3 days of treatment initiation. 5-Aminosalicylic acid enemas are well tolerated and are of benefit in the treatment of ulcerative colitis confined to the distal colon.

References (15)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (632)

View all citing articles on Scopus
*

This work was sponsored by Reid-Rowell Inc., Baudette, Minnesota, and Interfalk Canada, Beloil, PQ, Canada.

View full text